Tanzania’s legendary athlete Filbert Bayi (left), alongside the writer of this story, Sukhdev Chhatbar (centre) and Simon Mrashani, silver medallist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Kili Marathon in Moshi. (Photo by a Correspondent).
FROM SUKHDEV CHHATBAR IN MOSHI
The Secretary General of the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC), legendary athlete Filbert Bayi, has reaffirmed that he will not seek any position on the committee when elections are held next week.
The elections, scheduled for April 12, 2026 in Dar es Salaam, will see members vote for key leadership positions including the President, Vice-President and 10 Executive Committee members — five from Mainland Tanzania and five from Zanzibar.
Bayi said his decision was influenced by his age and personal commitments, making it clear that he was stepping away from elective leadership.
“I am already 72 and have my family matters to attend to,” he told The Arusha News in an exclusive interview during the recent 24th edition of the Kili Marathon in Moshi.
However, he maintained that he remains committed to supporting sports development in Tanzania in other capacities.
scrapped under the new constitution, many had still viewed the celebrated former runner as a figure capable of continuing to contribute meaningfully to the Olympic Committee through his experience and stature in Tanzanian sport.
Bayi also dismissed any possibility of taking up a different senior role, stating that even if he were to be offered the Chief Executive Officer position under the new constitutional structure, he would not accept it.
However, he noted that his commitment to the country’s sporting progress remains strong.
“As a patriot who loves Tanzania’s rise in world Olympics, the least I can accept is to serve as an advisor to the organisation,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of allowing new leadership to emerge as the committee transitions into a new governance framework.
“I have played my role and let others take the lead to play their roles too,” he added.
The restructuring of the committee, including the removal of the Secretary General position, forms part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at aligning the organisation with updated governance standards.
Despite stepping away from elective office, Bayi remains one of Tanzania’s most respected sporting figures. His legacy as a middle-distance runner and his long-standing involvement in sports administration have made him a key figure in the development of athletics in the country.
Observers within the sporting community had expressed hope that he would continue to play a role in the committee, particularly during the transition period. However, his decision signals a generational shift as the organisation prepares to usher in new leadership.
